When the Royal Wedding was announced it sent the wedding world into a frenzy of emotions. Excitement, anticipation and nerves for suppliers and retailers involved.

Everyone at Lottie’s Bridal had been looking for an occasion/idea for a charity fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis and the Royal Wedding proved a fabulous opportunity.

Lottie recalls her inspiration behind the event, “I first met Helen at one of our bride’s weddings last year. We struck it off and had a hoot! Fast forward a couple of months and Helen visited us with her Mum and sister Rosie, who suffered with Cystic Fibrosis, to find her dream dress. It was a lovely day and memories I’m sure we’ll all cherish forever.

“Sadly in October 2017 Rosie lost her battle following complications.

“The 29-year-old fronted an organ donor campaign on the Fylde after receiving a transplant herself in 2015. However, her condition deteriorated and Rosie was told she would require a second transplant. Unfortunately one didn’t come quickly enough.

“Helen postponed her wedding and we’ve kept her dress ready and waiting for her big day, which will now be in summer 2019. We were so sad to hear the news and knew if we could help, we would.

“So cue full on wedding planning! We set up the boutique with the help of The Lytham Wedding Company, with beautiful seating, floral arrangements and an aisle. We borrowed a projector and screened the wedding onto the wall (freshly painted the day before when we realised we hadn’t painted behind it!)

“We were also lucky enough to work with other local businesses and had huge confetti balloons, in royal colours of course, from Pink Tree Parties, a fizz van from The Lytham Fizz Company and a gorgeous Lemon and Elderflower Cake from local bakery Treats of St Annes.

“A wonderful day was had by all, we smiled, laughed and Rosie was remembered as we watched our modern day fairy-tale play out in front of us.

“From a business point of view, you may think I was mad holding an event like this on a Saturday daytime, but despite the fact we are in business, we are also part of a community as local business owners and I think giving to the community and celebrating the people in it is worth just as much.”